"It seems that Marine can't sit still anymore."
After ending the call, Elior fell silent for a moment, his mind already racing ahead. Then, he called in Bullet and the others to brief them.
When Big Mom and Kaido arrived, there would naturally be a meeting — one that would include a discussion of the Celestial Dragons and their shadowy origins.
By now, the entire New World knew the truth: Big Mom and Kaido had set sail. And not with a small force — their entire fleets were on the move.
Combined, their armadas numbered nearly eighty massive ships, carrying a total of over sixty thousand men.
Sixty thousand might not sound like much compared to a nation's army — but these were Yonko pirates. The weakest among them would be elite fighters anywhere else in the seas.
The combat strength of their officers alone was terrifying.
The New World trembled. Ordinary people whispered in fear, as if the end of days was drawing near.
Every major news outlet scrambled to cover the movement of the two Yonko fleets, publishing exaggerated headlines that only deepened the panic.
Everyone knew it: if Big Mom and Kaido were sailing under the same banner, it wasn't for travel or trade.
A war was coming.
But against whom?
Elior?
No one knew for sure — but the world shuddered at the thought.
Meanwhile, aboard a certain ship, the Red-Haired Pirates were also discussing the brewing storm.
"It looks like we're heading for Paradise," Shanks said quietly, his expression serious.
Lucky Roux frowned. "You think those two monsters are going to attack Paradise?"
"It's possible," Shanks replied, shaking his head slowly. "But I don't think so. They're either coming for us… or for Marine."
From Shanks's point of view, there were only three forces in the world worthy of such a grand move: the Red-Haired Pirates, Marine, and the World Government that stood behind it.
Beckman nodded in agreement. "I think Shanks is right. Either way, we should prepare for what's coming."
"Three Yonko and their armies…" Lucky Roux muttered. "We can't even imagine the scale of that."
They were uneasy — and with reason. Facing one Yonko crew was manageable. Two would already push them to the brink. Facing three… even the Red-Haired Pirates could be annihilated.
And Elior…
This new Yonko was said to possess strength beyond any before him.
He had erased the Revolutionary Army in a single night.
That fact alone proved his power defied imagination.
Shanks's expression hardened. "Prepare for battle. Whatever's coming — it's unavoidable. Elior won't ignore us forever. Even if we hid at the end of the world, he'd still find us."
He grinned faintly. "Besides, since when do we run from a fight?"
As he spoke, Shanks released an overwhelming Conqueror Haki, his presence shaking the air.
Like Roger, Shanks had reached the pinnacle of the world through swordsmanship, strength, and sheer willpower — even with only one arm.
"Yeah!" several crewmates roared in unison. "We're the Red-Haired Pirates! We don't back down from anyone!"
"The world's gone mad because of that man!"
"Then let's show him — and the world — what it means to challenge us!"
Their morale blazed like fire.
That same day, the Red-Haired Pirates began full-scale battle preparations. Whether or not Elior truly intended to strike them first didn't matter — they would be ready when he did.
Elior's campaign had begun, and the whole world knew peace was over.
The Revolutionary Army had been only the beginning.
Next, it would be either the Red-Haired Pirates, Marine, or the World Government itself.
And by pure strategic logic… the Red-Haired Pirates were the easier target.
A few hours later, Shanks received a call from Mihawk.
"Shanks," Mihawk said first, his tone uncharacteristically tense, "Elior might come for you. Are you ready?"
For the world's greatest swordsman, Shanks was his only true friend — the one he respected most.
Earlier that day, under orders from the World Government, Marine had summoned the Shichibukai once again. Their goal was clear: to form a joint strike force against Elior and his allies.
Mihawk had accepted, not for the government's sake, but to act in Shanks's defense.
The Marines suspected that Elior's next move would be either on them — or on the Red-Haired Pirates.
And since Marine was backed by the World Government itself, the more likely target… was Shanks.
"I know," Shanks answered calmly. "Whatever comes, comes. There's no avoiding it."
Mihawk's voice softened. "If it comes to it, I'll stand with you."
Shanks smiled faintly. "Then let's settle our old score when it's all over, Mihawk."
"Good."
Since Shanks had lost his arm, Mihawk had never crossed blades with him again — not out of pity, but respect. A duel between them, he felt, would no longer be fair.
"That's a promise, old friend," Shanks said, his smile turning solemn.
But in truth… would they ever get that chance?
Because Elior was coming for him.
And this was only the beginning.
If Elior had wanted only to kill Shanks, he wouldn't have needed Big Mom and Kaido at his side.
The Red-Haired Pirates — strong as they were — could not possibly surpass the Revolutionary Army, which Elior had annihilated in a single night.
No… this was something far greater.
A storm that would shake the entire world.
And deep beneath the Holy Land, the Gorosei already knew.
On the surface, they would claim they were preparing to stop Elior.
But in truth — they were preparing to protect Shanks.
Because the red-haired Yonko carried a secret known only to the highest echelons of the world…
Shanks was born a Celestial Dragon.
During the God Valley Incident, a dying high-ranking Celestial Dragon had entrusted his infant son to Roger, the only man he believed pure enough to raise him outside the filth of the Holy Land.
And so, the baby who would one day become Shanks had been raised on Roger's ship — a child of both heaven and sea.
Even now, the Gorosei and the Elder Council would not allow their hidden bloodline to be erased.
They knew Elior's next strike could only fall upon the Red-Haired Pirates or Marine — and the likeliest target was the former.
After all, Big Mom and Kaido, those two monstrous forces, were moving under Elior's banner.
They weren't sailing for negotiation.
They were sailing to reshape the world.